200 South Finley Ave
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
908-766-4774
November 23, 2020
Dear Saint James School Parents and Guardians,
This Christmas, give your child the gift of Catholic education…
At our fall event at the Burnt Mills Cider Company, I detailed what I believe is the “difference” a Saint James School education makes in our children’s lives. In addition to excellent academic programs, we offer our students everyday opportunities to develop and nurture their own personal relationship with God and Jesus Christ, a virtue program that sets the foundation for a strong work ethic and deep-seeded sense of moral responsibility toward family, community, nation and world, teachers that have chosen this vocation – a calling - to partner with parents to raise the next generation of leaders, caregivers, scientists, and parents, and a true partnership with parents where the entire community works together to support the children and families of Saint James School. By now, I hope you have noticed the “difference” and are excited to re-enroll your child(ren) for the 2021-2022 school year.
We have worked very hard to ensure that our students and staff all remain happy and safe while they are at school. This has, of course, increased our expenses related to cleaning services and equipment (+$44,000) and our increased enrollment has resulted in an increase in salaries and instructional expenses of $98,000. Of course, many of these increased expenses have been offset by an increase in tuition revenue, which has also allowed us to significantly reduce the parish subsidy ($449,000 in 2019-2020). However, we still expect a substantial subsidy from Saint James Parish in 2020-2021.
While being mindful of increased expenses and the desire to provide a just salary increase for our incredible teachers and staff, but also being cognizant of the economic struggles of our families, the School Advisory Council has recommended a tuition increase of 2.5% this year. This is lower than the tuition increases of the past four years of, on average, 4.5%.
We are hoping for a 100% response rate before Christmas. Please see the attached for more information about re-enrollment and our revenue and expense structures (below). Open Enrollment will begin on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at which time any unregistered students will not be guaranteed placement until the registration form and fee is received. Additionally, students whose tuition is not up to date will not be guaranteed placement until tuition is current.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Full Parent Letter
2021-2022 Re-Enrollment Form
2021-2022 Tuition
B6T Bus Form (one per child)
Pupil Textbook Form (one per child)
Refer-a-Family program